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The Importance of Rehabilitation After Orthopedic Surgery

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Recovering from Orthopedic Surgery can sometimes require a team of physicians and professional that are well versed in the individual needs and requirements of orthopedic procedures. Many times after orthopedic surgery the patient will be assigned a rehabilitation team that will work closely with the Orthopedic surgeon and other related physicians to help the patient achieve movement and motion.

The length of time that a patient may require rehabilitative care depends upon many things. The speed with which the patient is able to see results and success as well as the severity of the injury will both have an impact on the length of time that rehabilitation is needed. Patients that have had particular Orthopedic surgeries such as total joint replacements such as the hip or knee, reconstructions of the ankle, elbow or knee or spinal surgeries will all need post surgery rehabilitation. Patients that have had rotator cuff tears as well as laminectomies, meniscectomies as well as total shoulder replacements will also work in conjunction with their treating Orthopedic Surgeon and the rehabilitative team.

When a patient first consults with the Orthopedic physical therapist the degree or range of motion and function of the injury site will be assessed. The therapist will ask questions as to the degree of pain that is being experienced, the expectations of the patient as well as the strength of the injury. Consulting with the patients family can sometimes be offered as the patient can in some instances require changes in the home to be implemented.

When changes to the workplace, educational facility or home are required post Orthopedic Surgery an Occupational therapist will consult with the patient as to what will need to be altered in order for them to have maximum movement and comfort in the home, workplace and education environment. This may be wheel chair ramps and wheel chair friendly bathrooms. Conversely it could be better desk and keyboard placement with ergonomic chairs at the workplace. The Occupational therapist will work closely with the surgeon in order to help fulfill treatment goals.

Rehabilitation can take time if the patient is reluctant to build strength and motion. Sometimes the rehabilitation and therapy can begin as a painful process as the injured area has been weakened from the injury and the surgery, but with specific exercises and strength building sessions the injury site can begin to strengthen and the pain is lessened. The therapist is able to observe where the weakest parts of the patients body are and assist the patient to build strength. The aim of the rehabilitation therapy sessions is to provide the patient with enough range of movement and strength to be able to complete tasks independently. Once the patient is based in their own home environment they will then continue on with home based exercises as well as motion and range building programs that will allow the injured site to heal the most satisfactorily. The Orthopedic Surgeon will re visit with the patient at intervals post surgery to gauge progress and determine success of the procedure.

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